The franchise doesn't actually include all noted princesses from any Disney media as its name suggests, but only certain members are commonly used, mainly from animated films. The eleven current (2015) members of the franchise are Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, and Merida.[1][2] The franchise has released dolls, sing-along videos, apparel, home decor, toys and a variety of other products[3] featuring the Disney Princesses.

"Standing in line in the arena [of a Disney on Ice show], I was surrounded by little girls dressed head to toe as princesses...They weren’t even Disney products. They were generic princess products they’d appended to a Halloween costume. And the light bulb went off. Clearly there was latent demand here. So the next morning I said to my team, "'O.K., let’s establish standards and a color palette and talk to licensees and get as much product out there as we possibly can that allows these girls to do what they’re doing anyway: projecting themselves into the characters from the classic movies.'"

Former Nike, Inc. executive Andy Mooney was appointed chairman of The Walt Disney Company's Disney Consumer Products division in the late 1990s.[4][5] While attending his first Disney on Ice show, Mooney noticed that several young girls attending the show were dressed in princess attire that were not authentic Disney products.[6] "They were generic princess products they’d appended to a Halloween costume," Mooney told The New York Times. Concerned by this, Mooney addressed the company the following morning and encouraged them to commence work on a legitimate Disney Princess franchise in January 2000.[4]

The original line-up consisted of princesses Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan and Tinker Bell, five of whom are royal by blood, two whom have married into royalty, and two who fit the "princess mythology." Tinker was later removed from the latter category and the overall line-up. This was the first time the characters would be marketed in a separate franchise than their original films. Mooney decided that, when featured on marketing advertisements such as posters, the princesses should never make eye contact with each other in an attempt to keep their individual "mythologies" intact. "[Each] stares off in a slightly different direction as if unaware of the others' presence."[4]

Despite limited advertising and no focus groups, the various Disney Princess items released became a huge success.[4] Sales at Disney Consumer Products rose from $300 million in 2001 to $3 billion in 2006.

Tiana, officially on March 14, 2010, became the first additional character to the Princess franchise, taking Tinker Bell's short-lived place as the ninth member. Her coronation took place at the New York Palace.[7]Rapunzel was "crowned" and officially inducted into the Disney Princess franchise as the tenth member on October 2, 2011, at Kensington Palace in London, England.[8] On May 11, 2013, Disney officially added the first Pixar character Merida as the 11th Princess to the franchise in a coronation ceremony in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, Disney World.[1]

The June 2013 release of the Disney Princess Palace Pets app from Disney Publishing, led DCP to turn Palace Pets into a Disney Princess franchise extension, with the release of The Palace Pets toy line in August from licensee Blip Toys. The line was also selected by TimetoPlayMag.com for its Most Wanted List Holiday 2013.[9]

Snow White is the 1st and original Disney Princess. She is 14 years old. A main character in Walt Disney Animation Studios' 1st animated feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Snow White is a beautiful young princess, described by her stepmother's Magic Mirror as having "hair as black as ebony, lips as red as the rose, skin as white as snow".[10] She is forced to seek refuge in the home of the seven dwarfs, where she hides from her evil stepmother, the Evil Queen Grimhilde, who is jealous of Snow White's beauty and seeks her death. Snow White is often described as a kind, optimistic, tidy and happy person who sees the good in everyone. Originally voiced by Adriana Caselotti and animated by Marc Davis and Les Clark, she is based on the heroine of the German fairy tale Snow White (1812) by the Brothers Grimm. She has also been voiced by Mary Kay Bergman, Carolyn Gardener, and most recently Katherine Von Till.

Cinderella is the 2nd Disney Princess and the title character in Disney's 12th animated feature film. She is 19 years old. Cinderella, released in 1950. She is often considered the "Leader of the Disney Princesses". Forced into servitude by her evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine, and her two cruel stepsisters, Drizella and Anastasia, Cinderella dreams of going to the ball. When all seems lost, her fairy godmother allows her to attend, where she meets and falls in love with the Prince. Cinderella is based on the heroine of the French fairy tale Cinderella by Charles Perrault. Originally voiced by Ilene Woods and animated Marc Davis, in recent animated features she is currently voiced by Jennifer Hale. In the original movie, Cinderella's hair was intended to be more of a strawberry-blonde color, but today she is depicted as having blonde hair. Also, her iconic ball gown is depicted as light blue instead of silver in nearly all media and merchandise. Cinderella is also known as Cinderelly by the mice.

Aurora, originally voiced by Mary Costa and animated by Marc Davis, is the 3rd Disney Princess. She is 16 years old. She first appeared in Disney's 16th animated feature film Sleeping Beauty (1959). The motion picture is adapted from the French fairy tale The Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault (1697), from the German fairy tale Little Briar Rose (1812) by The Brothers Grimm and from The Sleeping Beauty ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1890). Aurora has hair of sunshine gold and lips that shame the red rose; she is often described as beautiful, kind, shy and sophisticated. She is also a hopeless romantic. At first, she is seen as a little naive and insecure as a result of being sheltered for most of her life but, unlike Snow White, she is somewhat pluckier and more opinionated. In later media, she is shown to have matured and become more self-assured, independent and confident. She was later voiced by Erin Torpey, and Jennifer Hale and is currently voiced by Kate Higgins.

Ariel is the 4th Disney Princess, as well as the title character in Disney's 28th animated feature film The Little Mermaid (1989 film), released in 1989. She is 16 years old. Daughter of King Triton and the youngest of seven sisters, Ariel is a princess in the undersea kingdom Atlantica (according to later media in the franchise). Fascinated by the human world and tired of life under the sea, Ariel makes a deal with Ursula the sea witch, trading her voice in return for humanity. Based on the Danish fairy tale The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen, Ariel is voiced by Jodi Benson and animated by Glen Keane and Mark Henn. The character was inspired by the protagonist in Andersen's story, but was developed into a different personality for the film.[11] Ariel is fiercely independent and a dreamer, which is notable in her collecting of human world treasures in her private grotto. She is bold and a risk-taker. Ariel is distinguished by her bright red hair, purple/lavender seashell bra and green tail.

Frustrated with her provincial village life, book-loving Belle longs for adventure. When her father Maurice is imprisoned by a hideous beast, Belle sacrifices her own freedom in return for his. At first frightened by the Beast's physical appearance and repulsed by his selfishness, Belle learns to appreciate him after he rescues her from a pack of hungry wolves, expressing her gratitude by tending to his wounds. While the Beast's love for Belle gradually results in him adapting a more friendly and civil manner, Belle befriends him, eventually managing to fall in love with him by the time the last petal falls off an enchanted rose, which ultimately breaks a spell cast on him and transforms him back into a handsome prince.

Personality-wise, Belle has been regarded as an independent,[15] intelligent,[16] courageous[17] and headstrong,[18] as well as a feminist.[19] The character has been universally lauded by critics, garnering specific praise and recognition for her intelligence and bravery. The Los Angeles Times hailed Belle as one of the Disney Princesses responsible for "break[ing] the bonds of convention".[20]The Globe and Mail praised the character, complimenting her intellect and labeling her the "main attraction of Beauty and the Beast".[21]Entertainment Weekly highlighted the character's independence, calling her "the hero" of the film and accrediting her with making Beauty and the Beast the best Disney Princess film.[22]The Washington Post described Belle as "more mature, more womanly and less blandly asexual" than previous Disney heroines.[23] The American Film Institute nominated Belle for its list of 100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains.[24] Belle remains the best-received Disney Princess to-date.

Jasmine is the 6th Disney Princess and the leading lady of Disney's 31st animated feature film Aladdin (1992). Jasmine is fierce, bold, and confident, and she rarely allows anyone tell her what to do and what not to do. Jasmine hungers for independence, tired of the restrictions laid before her by her father. She falls in love with Aladdin while he is disguised as a prince, after he takes her on a romantic ride on a magic carpet. Aladdin's genie companion is summoned by Jafar, who uses the genie's magic to tyrannically overthrow Jasmine's father, the Sultan. Luckily, after Jafar's defeat, the Sultan permits Jasmine to wed Aladdin despite his lack of royal heritage. Princess Jasmine is voiced by Linda Larkin and animated by Mark Henn, and her singing voice is provided by Lea Salonga (in the feature film) and Liz Callaway (in the direct-to-videosequel).

Pocahontas is the 7th Disney Princess and first appeared in Disney's 33rd animated feature film Pocahontas (1995). Based on the Native American chief's daughter, Pocahontas (c. 1595–1617), and the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. Pocahontas is displayed as a noble, independent and highly spiritual young woman. She expresses wisdom beyond her years and offers kindness and guidance to those around her. An adventure and nature lover, in the film she appears to have shamanic powers since she was able to commune with nature, talk to spirits, empathize with animals and understand unknown languages. In the sequel, Pocahontas seems to have grown after hearing of John Smith's assumed death. She keeps her independent spirit and playfulness, but is much more mature and self-assured than she was in the first film. During her stay in England, she nearly loses herself in the hustle and bustle of the new world and is almost turned into someone she's not. But in the end she bravely intends to sacrifice herself for her people's safety and returns to her homeland, finding herself, and love, once again. She was voiced by Irene Bedard and animated by Glen Keane while her singing was provided by Judy Kuhn.

Fa Mulan is the 8th Disney Princess[25] and first appeared in Disney's 36th animated feature film Mulan (1998). The movie is adapted from the legend of Hua Mulan (386–536). Mulan, atypical and unlike most previous female roles, is courageous and more self-reliant. She also does not fit in with the expectations of a young Chinese girl of the time; despite her natural beauty, she is clumsy, outspoken, and independent rather than graceful, silent and demure. Her meeting with the matchmaker ended in chaos because of this, (with help from a certain cricket), and the matchmaker claimed that even though she had the looks of a bride, she would never find a match. However, her courage, intelligence, and determination helped her through her adventures, in which she disguises herself as a male soldier in order to fight in the Chinese army in place of her wounded father. She was voiced by Ming-Na and animated by Mark Henn while her singing was provided by Lea Salonga.

Tiana, voiced by Anika Noni Rose and animated by Mark Henn, is the 9th Disney Princess character to be incorporated into the franchise, appearing in Disney's 49th animated feature film The Princess and the Frog (2009). Her film is loosely based on the novel The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker, which is in turn based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale The Frog Prince. Tiana is portrayed as being a hardworking, ambitious, and beautiful young woman who has no love interest (at the start of the film). Living in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tiana strives to achieve her goal of opening her own restaurant (an ambition inspired by the accomplishments of real life restaurateur Leah Chase).[26] However, she is transformed into a frog after trying to break a spell cast by a Bokor on Prince Naveen that had changed him into a frog also. Throughout the film, the pair must embark on a quest to find a way to break the spell. Tiana was officially "coronated" and became a member of the Disney Princess line-up on March 14, 2010 at The New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan, New York.[27]

A princess born with long, magical golden hair, Rapunzel, stolen from her parents at infancy, is raised by Mother Gothel, a vain woman who is also an evil witch and exploits her hair to remain young and beautiful. Incarcerated in an isolated tower for eighteen years, Rapunzel enlists the help of a wanted thief named Flynn Rider to see the floating lanterns in time for her 18th birthday.

Rapunzel is notably the first Disney Princess to appear in a CGI film, but is frequently revamped to a traditionally animated design when appearing in merchandising alongside fellow, classically-animated Princesses.

The character has been generally well received by most critics. Particular praise was awarded to her spirited personality and contemporaneity. The Los Angeles Times described Rapunzel as "a very modern young woman".[30]The New Yorker called Rapunzel a witty and intelligent character,[31] while USA Today wrote, "Rapunzel is more believable in her teenage histrionics" than previous Disney heroines.[32] However, some reviews, such as the two provided by Time Out, were less favorable in their opinions of the character, describing her as both a "bland"[33] and "synthetic" character.[34]

Merida is the 11th Disney princess, first appearing in the Pixar film Brave (2012).[1] Voiced by Kelly Macdonald, the character's singing voice is provided by Julie Fowlis. She was created by director and screenwriter Brenda Chapman. Merida is the 16-year-old daughter of Queen Elinor, who rules the kingdom alongside King Fergus. Queen Elinor's expectations of her daughter make Merida see her mother as being distant while also causing friction between the two. Despite Elinor's desire to see Merida as a proper royal lady, Merida is an impetuous girl who wants to take control of her own destiny. She has honed her skill in archery, and is one of the most skilled archers ever seen. She is also skilled in sword-fighting and cross-country horse riding on her horse, Angus. Merida was "coronated" and officially became a part of the Disney Princess franchise on May 11, 2013 at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.[35]

She is the first Disney princess in the line-up to not have a love interest in her film. She is also the first Pixar and the second CGI princess.

Currently all the princesses are available for meet-and-greets in Disneyland Resort in California. Additionally, Snow White has her own ride at Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris known as "Snow White's Scary Adventures". The ride also featured at the Walt Disney World Resort however was removed in 2012 as part of the New Fantasyland expansion.[36] In 2006, as part of the "Year of Million Dreams" celebration, the Fantasyland Theater began hosting the Disneyland Princess Fantasy Faire. The show had Lords and Ladies teaching young boys and girls the proper etiquette for a prince or princess and features appearances by the Disney Princesses themselves. Princesses also participated in meet and greets at this location. The attraction closed on August 12, 2012 and work began new Fantasy Faire village.[37][38] The new Fantasy Faire had a soft opening on March 5, 2013 and officially opened on March 12, 2013.[39] This new version included two small shows based on Beauty and the Beast and Tangled and also the Royal Hall, a Princess meet and greet. The Princesses also appear at Ariel's Grotto, a character dining location at Disney California Adventure

At Walt Disney World Resort the princesses are also available for meet-n-greets, but in more specific locations. There is a Cinderella-based character dining where she and her others appear at Cinderella's Royal Table in her Magic Kingdom castle, as well as "Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner," formerly known as the Cinderella's Gala Feast Dinner, at 1900 Park Fare in the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The Princesses are also meet at the Princess Storybook meal at Epcot. On September 18, 2013, a new meet-and-greet attraction called Princess Fairytale Hall opened at the Magic Kingdom.[40][41]

Many shows and parades across the property feature the princesses, including Fantasmic, Main Street Electrical Parade, Dream Along with Mickey, the Festival of Fantasy Parade, Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade and Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. A store named "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique" opened April 5, 2006 at the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World. On January 22, 2007, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort began its first Pirate and Princess Party. This hard ticketed event features "Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade" and a specially themed fireworks spectacular called "Magic, Music and Mayhem". The parade features the six main Princesses attended by knights and dancers. Each land is themed accordingly to a pirate or princess. Among the themed areas are Jasmine's Court in Adventureland, Ariel's Court in Fantasyland and the Princess Pavilion in Mickey's Toontown Fair. This event has since been discontinued.

The Disney Cruise Line ships feature musical stage shows which feature the Princesses. Ariel, Tiana, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Aurora, and Snow White also appear for guests on the ship. Other popular Disney heroines such as Alice, Anna and Elsa also appear for meet and greet sessions.

Disney on Ice has three shows containing the Disney Princesses: 100 Years of Magic, Princess Classics, Princesses and Heroes, "Treasure Trove", "Dare to Dream", and "Rockin' Ever After". The Ice Company also has had shows based on the story of Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Mulan, The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Brave.

The Disney Princesses' television appearances were compiled into the Disney Princess Collection, a series of compilation DVDs containing episodes from Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and two Beauty and the Beast specials. A later DVD series was released, entitled Disney Princess Stories, featuring content similar to the previous release. Princess Party Palace (formerly known as The Princess Power Hour) was a television series on Toon Disney from 2000 until 2007 and where it used to air episodes of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

Belle had her own live-action television series called Sing Me a Story with Belle. The first eight Disney Princesses also made appearances on the animated TV series House of Mouse and Belle also made an appearance (along with her husband, Beast) on a short episode from the TV animated series Mickey Mouse.

In early 2007, Disney announced Disney Princess Enchanted Tales, a new series of direct-to-video features that feature new stories for the Disney Princesses. The first movie in the series, entitled Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams, was released on September 4, 2007. It is a musical film featuring new tales about Princess Jasmine, and the first new tale about Princess Aurora since the original Sleeping Beauty.

Originally, Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: A Kingdom of Kindness was announced as the first film in the series, which contained a different Princess Aurora story, and had a Belle story rather than a Princess Jasmine story. Disney made this change without any sort of notice.[citation needed] Currently,[when?] the series is cancelled and only "Follow Your Dreams" exists.[43]

In the TV series Once Upon a Time, live-action versions of some of the Disney Princesses have appeared on the show as main characters and recurring characters like Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Mulan, Ariel and Rapunzel. Snow White and Belle are the main characters of the show and the others are recurring and guest stars.

The TV series Sofia the First premiered on January 11, 2013, on Disney Junior; to date,[when?] Cinderella appeared in the first movie Once Upon A Princess. Princesses Jasmine, Belle, Aurora, Snow White, Mulan and Tiana have appeared on the show, and Ariel and Rapunzel appeared in the TV Specials The Floating Palace and The Curse of Princess Ivy, respectively. There are plans to feature Pocahontas, Merida, Anna and Elsa in future episodes. However, Sofia is a minor princess and not in the royal court. She is voiced by Modern Family star Ariel Winter.

In Kilala Princess, a Japanese fantasy/romance manga produced by Kodansha that debuted in Nakayoshi in April 2005. The plot of the manga revolves around a girl named Kilala and her adventures to find her kidnapped friend with the help of the first six Disney Princesses, who are Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle and Jasmine, though Kilala herself isn't considered part of the franchise.

In the Kingdom Hearts game series, the seven "Princesses of Heart", are young ladies with entirely pure hearts who would open the way to Kingdom Hearts if gathered together. Five of these maidens- Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Snow White and Jasmine are Disney Princesses. The remaining Princesses of Heart are Alice from Alice in Wonderland and game series' heroine, Kairi, though the latter is only exclusive to the video game like Kilala. The Disney Princesses make various appearances throughout the series:

While all seven Princesses of Heart and all then-six Disney princesses appear in the first game, only Belle, Ariel and Jasmine reappeared in Kingdom Hearts II with Kairi, though the others are mentioned. Mulan, however, makes her first appearance as the player visits her world. She serves as a tradeable character in the party similarly to how Ariel was in the first Kingdom Hearts.

Belle, Jasmine, Ariel and Alice appear in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories as figments of Sora's memory, but their roles as Princesses of Heart are not brought up; they also appear in Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days when they each meet Roxas.

In the prequel Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Snow White, Cinderella and Aurora appear as the game's playable characters assume prominent positions in the princesses' original stories.

The introduction of different ethnicities in Disney animated features has also faced skeptical reactions, as well as criticism, from authors and media alike. An example is Princess Sofia in Sofia the First, mistakenly presented as Disney's first Latina princess. Dubious reactions to Disney's statement about the Princess being a Latina and the lack of characteristics actually identifying her as such placed the studio under mild fire and fueled discussions in the blogosphere, which were ultimately cleared up by a Disney Junior executive.[how?] Similar reactions were evident upon the release of "The Princess and the Frog" regarding the main heroine, Tiana.[46]

Tension has been present between The Walt Disney Company and feminists ever since the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. The type of representations of women in Disney films reflect Walt Disney's personal feelings about family life, which in turn also shaped the Disney Company. Another influence was the fact that Disney's attitudes mirrored the patriarchal cultural beliefs of the 1940s about what roles women should play in society.[47]

On December 24, 2006, Peggy Orenstein published "What's Wrong With Cinderella?" in The New York Times. In her article, Orenstein discussed her concerns about the effects of princess figures on young girls. Orenstein used the Disney Princesses specifically to present many of her points. Orenstein also noted the pervasive nature of Princess merchandise and that every facet of play has its princess equivalent.[4] Tamara Weston of Time magazine criticized the franchise, referring to the princesses as "damsels in distress" and negative role models for young girls.[48] Anna Smith of The Guardian disliked that Disney princesses were typically drawn with slender figures and large eyes.[49] Other sources have also voiced concern that the franchise could possibly give young girls the wrong message. [50] However, other parents who have young daughters say that they would eventually grow out of this phase.[51]